ASK Pastor LARRY JAMES

05/16/2026

Understanding Drug and Alcohol Addiction

For decades, we have worked with street people, homeless people, drug addicts with great success. This is my assessment of the problem and dealing with it
PLJ
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Addiction is a powerful condition. Once someone starts using a drug, especially a hard one, their brain and body become chemically and physically dependent on it.

If you've seen people struggling with he**in, crack, fentanyl, or tranq, you know what’s happening to them. This is why trying to reason with them often fails; it simply doesn’t work.

If someone experiences a significant life crisis that makes them deeply want to quit drugs and alcohol, they may be open to rehabilitation. However, for most addicts, the desire for freedom is hard to find. After a short period of use, they become so consumed by their addiction that they can't even envision a life without it. Their thoughts are entirely focused on getting and using the drug.

This is why conversations among addicts often revolve around drugs—their feelings, where to find their next fix, and how to get it. While they might not openly discuss this with strangers, if you spend time with them,* in ministry, you’ll notice that their discussions are limited and primarily about obtaining drugs.

I’ve seen cities implement programs where outreach workers provide clean needles, some food, and express love to these individuals. Social workers may claim that this is all they need. However, this approach only offers temporary relief and does not lead to recovery from addiction. Simply providing condoms and clean needles with a “we love you!” will not lead to recovery.

The number of addicts continues to rise. For example, when I used to visit Los Angeles in the 1970s there was a dedicated mission run by a wonderful couple; a pastor and his wife who worked hard to help people on the streets. They provided food, clothing, a place to sleep, and assistance in returning to their home towns. While this was beneficial back then, the situation has worsened; Skid Row has expanded from one street to about 45 blocks! The government recently allocated $45 billion to address homelessness in California, but reports suggest that these funds have disappeared without being used to help those in need.

Cities are increasingly filled with people who seem to wander the streets like zombies. I believe in the importance of praying for them and providing essential support like food and clothing. However, true and lasting recovery is best achieved through a proven medical and Christian rehabilitation program.

*Note: Engaging in this type of ministry can be risky. It’s essential to be called to this work and to have a team of dedicated believers with you.*

05/11/2026

Jesus is Actively Involved in Your Faith
Plj

In Hebrews 12:2, Jesus is referred to as the author and finisher, of our faith.
The term "author" denotes an originator or creator, particularly in the context of a theory or plan. The Greek word translated as “author” can also signify “captain,” “chief leader,” or “prince.”

A parallel can be drawn from Acts 3:15, which states, “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses” (KJV), This suggests that Christ is the originator of our faith, initiating it, while also serving as the prince of our faith. This implies that Jesus, in a sense, governs our faith, guiding it as a captain would steer a ship, and presiding over it with the care of a monarch for his subjects.

The Greek term translated as “perfecter” in Hebrews 12:2 appears only once in the New Testament.

It literally means “completer” or “finisher,” indicating the act of bringing something to its conclusion.

When considering both terms, it becomes evident that Jesus both creates and sustains our faith. It is understood that saving faith is a divine gift, not a product of human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9), and this gift originates from Christ, its creator.

Furthermore, He is also the sustainer of our faith, signifying that true saving faith cannot simply be lost, taken away by some external force, or relinquished.

This assurance should provide you, the believer (particularly during periods of spiritual struggle) that Jesus had not only initiated your faith, but is actively overseeing, nurturing, and sustaining it.

05/10/2026

Remember: You are made righteous with God through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
PLJ

God entrusted the Lord Jesus Christ, the immaculate and unblemished “Lamb of God,” to become the offering for humanity's sins.
As stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21 , "He made Him who never sinned to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." This sacrificial act of Jesus Christ on the cross served as the means by which the penalty for human guilt and sin, your sin, (you, who have put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah, and believe in his resurrection).
By accepting the punishment that humanity truly did deserve, Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of The Law (the Old Covenant). His death functioned as a substitutionary atonement (covering), as humanity is incapable of achieving God's standard of holiness and perfection.
Thus, you, the one whose faith rests in messiah Jesus, are reconciled and have been deemed righteous before God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Think of that. This cannot be denied. This cannot be contested; this, is God’s doing.
The most astonishing miracle is that this fundamental truth is articulated in the gospel and is graciously offered to all who truly place their faith in Him.

In Romans 3:21–26, the Apostle Paul elaborates on the revelation of God's righteousness: "God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law... We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who they are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his mercy, extends His gave to us, to you! Freely He makes us right in his sight.

05/09/2026

Struggles With Faith?
PLJ

Many individuals experience challenges with their faith at various points in their lives. Even some of the most devoted and righteous leaders have encountered doubts, similar to anyone else. The fundamental nature of faith involves believing in what is not visible (Hebrews 11:1).

God recognizes our occasional struggles to exercise the necessary faith. In Mark 9:24, a man expressed to Jesus his desire for assistance with his unbelief. Rather than rebuking him, Jesus healed the man's child, honoring the man's wish to grow in faith and appreciating that He, Jesus, was the focus of that faith. Therefore, if we possess the desire to believe in the teachings of the Bible, we establish a solid foundation for our ongoing pursuit of faith. God has provided us with numerous evidences of His existence and character (Psalm 19:1; Luke 19:38–40).

The Bible states that faith "comes by hearing the word of God," indicating that faith is strengthened through exposure to the Scriptures. This is why it is essential to seek out relevant biblical passages that address our specific situations and needs. The practice of meditating on Scripture involves reflecting on and internalizing its truths. It is advisable to focus on these truths rather than entertain the fearful thoughts that our fallen nature may prefer.

Faith is indeed enhanced by hearing the word of God. It is important not only to read these Scriptures and pray to the Lord while incorporating them into our prayers but also to vocalize them so that we can hear them. This practice should not be viewed as unusual; after all, individuals are constantly exposed to various messages through media, music, television, and the internet, which present slogans, jingles, and ideas. Competing with these influences, along with comments from colleagues and family members that may contradict the word of God, necessitates that we hear the word of God much more frequently. By doing so, our faith will be strengthened and reinforced.

There is no need for anxiety or worry regarding this practice; it is simply a matter of implementation. One of the most significant challenges we have encountered over the years is helping individuals transition from knowing biblical truths to actively praying, speaking those truths, and applying them in their lives.

05/08/2026

Mel Gibson’s Forth coming Film
PLJ

The widespread reception of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" upon its release is noteworthy. However, it is important to recognize that the film was based on a combination of scripture, Catholic theology, and the strange, non scriptural visions of a certain individual.

Scores of pastors across the nation had claimed that the film was entirely biblically accurate; however, it contains numerous inaccuracies and fictional elements. It is understandable that some may take issue with this perspective, as individuals often react defensively when confronted with challenging information.

Why is this important ? Gibson is now continuing the narrative with a sequel projected to cost approximately $300 million, which will explore the deaths of the apostles. It is likely that many will disagree with the truth due to their prior teachings. Unfortunately, much of what has been traditionally accepted contains gross inaccuracies, and fiction

Those who are willing to study can find that many of these widely held beliefs are myth.

It is crucial to recognize that the film will include fictional elements, and many church leaders and congregants may derive their theological understanding from it. The truth is that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the apostles are unknown.

While these narratives are frequently taught, repetition does not equate to truth. The accounts are often based on non-inspired writings, some of which are mythological or traditionally accepted without critical examination. Many religious institutions acknowledge in their scholarly works that numerous stories about early church figures are fictitious.

I urge caution in approaching this film Personally, I hold that the Bible is the sole source of truth

05/06/2026

04/28/2026

Leadership problems within the contemporary “Christian culture” PLJ

Scores of popular contemporary “leaders” in the word of faith/prosperty message “churches” as well as other contemporary religious organizations are being exposed for horrific sinful behavior.
If you’ve encountered the headlines or seen videos online showing their battling each other, their weak attempts at damage control, their religious organizations claiming that such victimizers have been “restored…”
Why hasn’t the church going public realized that something with their “leaders “ and the contemporary “church” movement is fundamentally wrong? Is it due to its being a cultish religious culture?

It appears that most people who lead these “churches” know and even interact with each other.
This interconnectedness is evident in the frequent scandals that arise within these communities. The leaders seem to know each other well. Also, these church media personalities among the contemporary “church” are almost worshippped as important teachers, pastors, and even giants of the faith.
There is a persistent lack of awareness among many their followers. It is unlikely that there will be a departure from these established cultural groups, which can be characterized by a blend of “Church culture” and Americanized interpretations of the scriptures.
This divergence from the core message of Jesus and the gospel contributes to the confusion and challenges faced by these individuals. In other words, they are followers in religious or spiritual movements, which are not centered on Christ and the scriptures and this adds to their problems and confusion.
I doubt that they will ever realize that they are drowning in a WASPY pseudo Christian cult.

04/16/2026

A Racist Foundation in Word of faith: Eugenics. Plj

Before WWII there were two growing movements in America which are forgotten about today: the pacifist movement (Charles Lindbergh, a N**i sympathizer), and an American N**i movement (which was growing in the Midwest). A strong central belief, a foundational belief in much of these movements was eugenics. Just as it was for the N**i party in Germany. Out of this in those circles teachings were birthed which used certain scriptural ideas to portray minorities, especially Black people, as being cursed, and therefore inferior to white men. These teachings still go on today, and some of the most prominent word of faith ministries.
There is a racist anti minorities (we are talking anyone who is not of Anglo-Saxon lineage. Irish, Italian, black, Middle Eastern , Hispanic, and most of all Jewish, etc. anyone). This grew because in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s immigrants came mostly from Europe to America.
In the earliest days in what would be called word of faith doctrine, bold separatist statements were made.
In recent history such has been said among Word of Faith/ prosperity message ministers. It’s been noted that the leadership among these people remains mostly white Anglo-Saxon. Anyone else is not on the board anyone else is not in the leadership positions to make decisions in these word of faith organizations. It’s not just white. To this day the idea of someone who is Latin, Hispanic, black, etc. can go to their schools can even surface in television ministry or have a mega church, but they are not accepted by the core of word of faith, leadership and its stars.
And keep it with your genetics you’ll notice that anyone who is ill or was born with a deformity is Sean by the Word of Faith community. This really completes the picture. Bigotry is at the foundation of word of faith. 

Basic Eugenics: The study or practice of attempting to improve the human gene pool by encouraging the reproduction of people considered to have desirable traits and discouraging or preventing the reproduction of people considered to have undesirable traits.
In N**i Germany all races other than a***n were considered to be inferior. People with sicknesses, illnesses, birth defects were putting in hospitals and murdered. The areas were considered the master race. All else were deemed inferior.

03/22/2026

Thoughts Concerning John, the Baptizer
…..PLJ

Jesus stated that there is no individual born of a woman who surpasses John the Baptist in greatness.

Let us consider John: John lived in the wilderness and water baptized people as he said, “unto repentance. “He wasn’t baptizing them with the Holy Spirit, which he said, the one coming after him, the Messiah would do. But he was calling them prior to the Messiah’s coming, to turn from their lives of practicing sin. For this he was arrested.

Despite his awareness, through the Holy Spirit, that Jesus was the Messiah, John the Baptist endured severe imprisonment that amounted to torture. This torment led him to question whether Jesus was indeed the one. Such doubt can stem from the profound mental anguish associated with extreme suffering.

Ultimately, John the Baptist was beheaded for his unwavering faith; he refused to renounce the Lord. His severed head was subsequently used as a prop by an agent of evil and a corrupt king.
Reflect on this situation. It is important to recognize that Jesus acknowledged the immense sacrifice John made for his faith and the trials he endured as factors contributing to his greatness.
In contrast, in our contemporary society, individuals who are murdered or abused for their genuine belief in the Lord and who actively practice their faith and minister to others often go unrecognized! False teachers who acquirer wealth and media visibility are respected and honored. Consider the implications of this disparity.

Hebrew name: Yoḥanan ha-maṭbil

Yohanan is a name meaning, God is merciful.

Ha is the

Matbil is Hebrew for baptism.

03/21/2026

Why Americas got fat.
….PLJ

“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” – Proverbs 13:4

I was born in the 1950s and experienced a childhood in the late 50s, 1960s characterized by active transportation, such as riding bicycles and walking.
During that time, snacks didn’t exist. Today they are consumed by children through the day!
We didn’t have two-liter bottles of soda-they didn’t exist. Today, kids sit down in front of a television while playing video games on their lap, eating out of a large bag of chips and drinking out of a two-literally bottle of soda!

Over the years, I have observed a significant shift in lifestyle and dietary habits. The introduction of drugs has sedated adolescents, fast food has become a prevalent choice, (years ago you didn’t have all of these fast food outlets. McDonalds was an occasional treat.
Today, family SUVs have facilitated constant mobility. Also, with the availability of hundreds of television channels Americas, especially children, are sitting throughout the day.
The convenience of microwave meals—often laden with chemicals, high fructose corn syrup, and excessive sugar—these changes have adversely affected multiple generations.

In my teens and twenties, I maintained a 32-inch waist and was physically active. I could run, perform numerous chin-ups from tree limbs, and complete dozens of sit-ups. My fitness routine included weightlifting and running on a manual treadmill, as well as walking long distances for health benefits. I engaged in various physical activities, such as mowing the lawn and working on my old car. These activities are unknown to young people today.
In contrast to the past, where certain foods were categorized as "junk food," it appears that today, the majority of food options could be considered just that. The ingredients. Of the food we eat, you may conclude that we are all victims.